Lipstick painting tool

ABSTRACT

A lipstick painting tool having a cover sleeve that is moveable between a proximal position exposing painting bristles and a distal position covering the painting bristles. The cover sleeve is moveable through relative rotation of the same along a base shaft such that engaged internal and external threads cause movement along a longitudinal axis. The paint bristles are part of a tip that is removable and replaceable. The tool may include an extension coupling for receiving an extension tool. A central paint tube may be included to supply paint directly to the bristles from a paint reservoir as by pump or similar means.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Design Application No. 29/459,404, filed on Jun. 28, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a painting tool, specifically a painting tool having replaceable paint bristles and a retractable cover or sleeve that protects the paint bristles.

Paint brushes typically have relatively permanently attached bristles that are permanently exposed to the environment. Such permanent attachment provides that bushes have limited numbers of uses unless thoroughly cleaned promptly after each use to avoid a buildup of dried paint. In addition, such permanent exposure to the environment increases the risk of the bristles pickup dirt or other contaminants from the environment. Furthermore, the exposed bristles increase the accidental or unwanted transfer of paint to a surface upon which the brush may be set or stored.

Accordingly, there is a need for a paint brush that has replaceable bristles and a cover for protecting the bristles against accidental touches. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lipstick painting tool having a generally cylindrical base shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and external threads spanning from the proximal end to the distal end. A base grip is disposed on the proximal end of the base shaft and a paint bristle tip is disposed on the distal end of the base shaft. A cover sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, and internal threads is substantially co-extensive with and surrounds the base shaft. The cover sleeve is rotatable about the base shaft and the internal threads are configured to engage the external threads to move the cover sleeve between a proximal position and a distal position when the cover sleeve is rotated.

In the proximal position, the cover sleeve substantially covers the base shaft. In the distal position, the cover sleeve substantially covers the paint bristle tip. The tool further has a locking ring disposed between the base shaft and the cover sleeve to prevent over-rotation of the cover sleeve in relation to the base shaft.

The paint bristle tip is removable and replaceable with a second paint bristle tip. A paint tube is preferably attached to a tip inlet on the paint bristle tip. The paint tube passes through an interior of the base shaft and is fluidly connected to a port on a bottom of the base grip. The port on the base grip is configured to receive a paint supply, wherein the paint tube and the tip inlet are configured to deliver paint from the port to the paint bristle tip.

The lipstick painting tool may have an extension coupling attached to a bottom of the base grip. The extension coupling is preferably configured to receive an extension tool.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lipstick painting tool of the present invention, showing the cover sleeve in a proximal position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lipstick painting tool of the present invention, showing the cover sleeve in a distal position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lipstick painting tool of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lipstick painting tool of the present invention, showing the extension coupling on the base grip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, the lipstick painting tool of the present invention is generally referred to by reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-4. The individual components and the structural relationship of the components of the painting tool 10 are most clearly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates and exploded view of the tool 10, including the base shaft 12, base grip 14, paint bristle tip 16, and cover sleeve 18. The base shaft 12 has a proximal end 12 a and a distal end 12 b. Similarly, the cover sleeve 18 has a proximal end 18 a and a distal end 18 b. The base grip 14 attaches to the proximal end 12 a of the base shaft 12. The paint bristle tip 16 attaches to the distal end 12 b of the base shaft 12. The cover sleeve 18 covers the base shaft 12 such that the respective proximal ends 12 a, 18 a and distal ends 12 b, 18 b as in substantial alignment.

The base shaft 12 has a set of external threads 20 extending generally from the proximal end 12 a to the distal end 12 b. The cover sleeve 18 has a set of internal treads 22 extending from the proximal end 18 a to the distal end 18 b. When the cover sleeve 18 is around the base shaft 12, the internal threads 22 engage the external threads 20 and cooperate with the same so as to move the cover sleeve 18 longitudinally along the base shaft 12 when the same is rotated about a common axis. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate this movement of the cover sleeve 18. FIG. 1 shows the cover sleeve 18 in a proximal position wherein the cover sleeve 18 covers the base shaft 12 and the bristles 17 of the paint bristle tip 16 extend from the distal end 18 b. FIG. 2 shows the cover sleeve 18 in a distal position wherein the cover sleeve 18 covers the paint bristle tip 16 and the base shaft 12 extends from the proximal end 18 a.

The base grip 14 is preferably removably attached to the proximal end 12 a of the base shaft 12. Such removable attachment may be accomplished through use of resilient barbs 24 and notches 26, among other structures commonly known in the art. Similarly, the paint bristle tip 16 is preferably removably attached to the distal end 12 b of the base shaft 12. Such removable attachment is preferably accomplished by a snug, friction, or pressure fit with base shaft 12. Alternatively, the paint bristle tip 16 may be held in place by the cover sleeve 18 when it is in the proximal position.

A locking ring 28 may be included in between the base shaft 12 and the cover sleeve 18 so as to prevent over-rotation of the same and accidental removal from the base shaft 12. The locking ring 28 preferably surrounds the bases shaft 12 and slips in the gap between the base shaft 12 and the cover sleeve 18 at the proximal end 18 a. The locking ring 28 preferably stays with cover sleeve 18 through friction or other pressure fit when the cover sleeve 18 is moved back and forth between the proximal position and the distal position. The locking ring 28 blocks the internal threads 22 from disengaging or over rotating the external threads 20.

The tool 10 preferably includes a central paint tube 30 that passes through the central longitudinal axis of the base shaft 12. The central paint tube 30 is fluidly attached to an inlet 32 on the paint bristle tip 16 at one end and a port 34 on the base grip 14 at an opposite end. The inlet 32 is fluidly connected to the bristles 17 on the paint bristle tip 16. A paint supply (not shown) fluidly connected to the port 34 can provide paint through the tube 30 to the paint bristle tip 16 and the bristles 17 to provide for a near constant supply of paint to the bristles 17. Such supply of paint is preferably provided by pump or similar means.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment wherein the tool 10 may include an extension coupling 36 as part of the base grip 14. The extension coupling 36 is configured to receive an extension tool (not shown) so as to allow for painting in distant or hard to reach areas such as those at heights typically requiring a ladder. The extension coupling may also include a port 34 that works with the paint tube 30 as described above.

In operation, the paint lipstick tool 10 is used by twisting the cover sleeve 18 so as to move it to the proximal position, thus exposing the bristles 17. The bristles 17 are then coated in paint and use to apply the paint to a surface. In between painting tasks, the cover sleeve 18 may be moved into the distal position, thus covering the bristles 17. In this position, the tool 10 may be placed on any surface without fear of transferring paint to that surface or picking up dirt or other contaminants from the surface. One then only need to move the cover sleeve 18 back to the proximal position to expose the bristles 17 again. When done painting, one should thoroughly clean the entire tool 10 to remove any traces of paint from the bristles 17, paint bristle tip 16, cover sleeve 18, and the paint tube 30 if used. If the bristles 17 of the paint bristle tip 16 are worn or coated in too much paint from prior use or insufficiently cleaning, the tip 16 may be removed and replaced with a new second tip 16 having a new set of bristles 17. In addition, different tips 16 with different types of bristles 17 may be used.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lipstick painting tool, comprising a generally cylindrical base shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and external threads spanning from the proximal end to the distal end; a base grip on the proximal end of the base shaft; a paint bristle tip on the distal end of the base shaft; and a cover sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, and internal threads substantially co-extensive with and surrounding the base shaft, wherein the cover sleeve is rotatable about the base shaft and the internal threads are configured to engage the external threads to move the cover sleeve between a proximal position and a distal position when the cover sleeve is rotated.
 2. The lipstick painting tool of claim 1, wherein the cover sleeve substantially covers the base shaft in the proximal position.
 3. The lipstick painting tool of claim 1, wherein the cover sleeve substantially covers the paint bristle tip in the distal position.
 4. The lipstick painting tool of claim 1, further comprising a locking ring disposed between the base shaft and the cover sleeve to prevent over-rotation of the cover sleeve in relation to the base shaft.
 5. The lipstick painting tool of claim 1, wherein the paint bristle tip is removable and replaceable with a second paint bristle tip.
 6. The lipstick painting tool of claim 1, further comprising a paint tube attached to a tip inlet on the paint bristle tip, wherein the paint tube passes through an interior of the base shaft and is fluidly connected to a port on a bottom of the base grip.
 7. The lipstick painting tool of claim 6, wherein the port on the base grip is configured to receive a paint supply, wherein the paint tube and the tip inlet are configured to deliver paint from the port to the paint bristle tip.
 8. The lipstick painting tool of claim 1, further comprising an extension coupling attached to a bottom of the base grip.
 9. The lipstick painting tool of claim 8, wherein the extension coupling is configured to receive an extension tool.
 10. A lipstick painting tool, comprising a generally cylindrical base shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and external threads spanning from the proximal end to the distal end; a base grip on the proximal end of the base shaft; a paint bristle tip on the distal end of the base shaft, wherein the paint bristle tip is removable and replaceable with a second paint bristle tip; and a cover sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, and internal threads substantially co-extensive with and surrounding the base shaft, wherein the cover sleeve is rotatable about the base shaft and the internal threads are configured to engage the external threads to move the cover sleeve between a proximal position substantially covering the base shaft and a distal position substantially covering the paint bristle tip when the cover sleeve is rotated.
 11. The lipstick painting tool of claim 10, further comprising a locking ring disposed between the base shaft and the cover sleeve to prevent over-rotation of the cover sleeve in relation to the base shaft.
 12. The lipstick painting tool of claim 10, further comprising a paint tube attached to a tip inlet on the paint bristle tip, wherein the paint tube passes through an interior of the base shaft and is connected to a port on a bottom of the base grip.
 13. The lipstick painting tool of claim 12, wherein the port on the base grip is configured to receive a paint supply, wherein the paint tube and the tip inlet are configured to deliver paint from the port to the paint bristle tip.
 14. The lipstick painting tool of claim 10, further comprising an extension coupling attached to a bottom of the base grip.
 15. The lipstick painting tool of claim 14, wherein the extension coupling is configured to receive an extension tool.
 16. A lipstick painting tool, comprising a generally cylindrical base shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and external threads spanning from the proximal end to the distal end; a base grip on the proximal end of the base shaft and an extension coupling attached to a bottom of the base grip, wherein the extension coupling is configured to receive an extension tool; a paint bristle tip on the distal end of the base shaft, wherein the paint bristle tip is removable and replaceable with a second paint bristle tip; and a cover sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, and internal threads substantially co-extensive with and surrounding the base shaft, wherein the cover sleeve is rotatable about the base shaft and including a locking ring disposed between the base shaft and cover sleeve to prevent over-rotation of the cover sleeve in relation to the base shaft, wherein the internal threads are configured to engage the external threads to move the cover sleeve between a proximal position substantially covering the base shaft and a distal position substantially covering the paint bristle tip when the cover sleeve is rotated.
 17. The lipstick painting tool of claim 16, further comprising a paint tube attached to a tip inlet on the paint bristle tip, wherein the paint tube passes through an interior of the base shaft and is fluidly connected to a port on a bottom of the base grip, which is fluidly connected to a second port on the extension coupling.
 18. The lipstick painting tool of claim 17, wherein the second port on the extension coupling is configured to receive a paint supply, wherein the port, the paint tube and the tip inlet are configured to deliver paint from the second port to the paint bristle tip. 